Yes, I think it will great for us College students... imagine, no more books to haul, notes on the go using Pages....
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad good for college students?
- Thread starter California King
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think we will get used to the virtual keyboard. I type like a pro on the iPhone compared to my other friends who are still new to it... But I can't say I type faster on the iphone than I do on a physical keyboard =/.
But I really hope that the developers will come up with some awesome note taking app (and preferably for free =p). Science classes usually require me to jot down more diagrams and formulas, and I always hate it when the prof starts talking about one thing... goes off on a tangent with other important information, and then goes back to the original topic. I always end up wasting paper when I leave some space, or my notes end up a mess. If they are digital, I wouldn't feel bad about wasting storage space and they would be much easier to clean up/edit later on. For the longest time I wished there was a device to write/edit/email my notes on, and the iPad is so close yet so far away...
I completely agree it could be a great device, but as a media centric toy not as a serious business or college level tool. But time will tell. I'd love to see students tapping away at this in a lecture hall. Wonder how they'll hold it on the desk to make notes, simple ergonomics etc How I see it, is that you'll end making so many concessions to make this usable, so many excuses and "figuring out" other ways doing something that should have been standard in the first place.
You still need a laptop to really use the iPad. You need one to sync your notes, music, ipod with it. So therefore this is for the rich kids who can afford both.
You still need a laptop to really use the iPad. You need one to sync your notes, music, ipod with it. So therefore this is for the rich kids who can afford both.
I think if it can get your text books in ebook format, that would be invaluable. It would take time getting used to ebook vs physical book, but would save you from having to lug things around. I hope they have some note taking capability in the ebook software. It sounded like the Kindle had something of the sort, which caused a big fuss, when Amazon forcibly wiped one particular literary book from everybody's Kindle. Students irrecoverably lost all their notes on the ebook when that happened.
What are the chances of the iPad being included as part of the back to school special, which usually starts in June. The last few years it was a free iPod touch with purchase of a Mac. I'm hoping they would offer $230 off the iPad. Usually the rebate is an inventory clearing measure (old Touches), so I'm rather doubting it.
What are the chances of the iPad being included as part of the back to school special, which usually starts in June. The last few years it was a free iPod touch with purchase of a Mac. I'm hoping they would offer $230 off the iPad. Usually the rebate is an inventory clearing measure (old Touches), so I'm rather doubting it.
As much as I want to support the iPad, I have high doubts that it'll be functional as your sole computer at a university. Depending on your major, you'll often be required to use certain programs by professors. For example, for CS you'll need to use certain IDEs, architecture will need certain CAD programs, art will probably need Photoshop, and math/physics will likely need MATLAB.
iPad will unlikely have ports of these programs until much later (if ever).
iPad will unlikely have ports of these programs until much later (if ever).
The iPad is promoted as a portable digital device. Who told you that it is designed to be your sole computer?
Being that the OP is looking for opinions on whether he should go with either an iPad or a laptop, it will function as his sole computer.
No one said it was designed that way. Try reading the thread or my post before you make a douche out of yourself.
I am heading back to university in the fall. I already have a 13" MBP and I will definitely be purchasing an iPad. Just the 16GB Wi-Fi version as the iPad won't be a main computer for university. The iPad will be for catching up on reading of textbooks(the ones that are available to purchase in digital formats), the reading of PDF's and research related to my classes, catching up on research done on the Mac and synced with Evernote, and at home just surfing the web while watching TV.
This is definitely a luxury/extra device to have, by no means meant to be a main "computer" for university. I personally believe anyone who can justify the iPad as a main system for university is willing to make too many concessions and sacrifices to justify having the singular device for university.
This is definitely a luxury/extra device to have, by no means meant to be a main "computer" for university. I personally believe anyone who can justify the iPad as a main system for university is willing to make too many concessions and sacrifices to justify having the singular device for university.
This would make sense except you cant have a book open and type notes at the same time (unless they specifically make an app that does both of those things). It would be terribly inefficient to have to close the book app to take notes, and close the note app to read a page or look at a diagram in the book.
+1
But I think that until I see how well the keyboard does I will be packing the pen and paper anyway. It would save me hundreds of dollars on the cost of books until it all goes digital. And to the OP I think that you could swing it. I was trying to think about what I really use a computer for at school and thought if I got the keyboard dock it might actually work for most of the stuff I do. It depends on your major.
Just a thought:
I tried using a tablet pc for taking notes in [math heavy] classes. Just doesn't cut it... pen and paper is still the way to go. Biggest waste of $1700 I ever spent.
On the same vein, I doubt that the iPad will be able to replace pen and paper for note-taking. A digital solution would be nice, but you're still limited to finite resolution for diagrams and such.
Plus, I think people will look weird (and try-hard) taking notes on an iPad. But that's just my opinion.
I tried using a tablet pc for taking notes in [math heavy] classes. Just doesn't cut it... pen and paper is still the way to go. Biggest waste of $1700 I ever spent.
On the same vein, I doubt that the iPad will be able to replace pen and paper for note-taking. A digital solution would be nice, but you're still limited to finite resolution for diagrams and such.
Plus, I think people will look weird (and try-hard) taking notes on an iPad. But that's just my opinion.
Which does not make the iPad a main computer, giving the fact that you still have to sync it.
Not really, a laptop would be better because having the iPad as your main computer doesn't work, its limited and it doesn't have a proper keyboard for large amounts of typing. And having a laptop/desktop AND the iPad is too much $$$ for most uni students.
I don't really get what the problem is with taking notes. You could just press "record" and get the important stuff.
Too bad you can't just takes pics off the black/whiteboard.
Too bad you can't just takes pics off the black/whiteboard.
I hope you are right. The problem with text books is getting them all into ePub format. It only is great if every textbook a university requires for every class is available for an e-reader like the iPad.
Doable
Not that practical but these days you could get buy with the keyboard attachment.
Thing is, it looks a bit unstable in portrait with that keyboard.
But you could just get a regular keyboard and prop it.
note: a few years back I would have made the argument that it would be a bad idea and you should get the more practical laptop or netbook. however, times have changed.
Not that practical but these days you could get buy with the keyboard attachment.
Thing is, it looks a bit unstable in portrait with that keyboard.
But you could just get a regular keyboard and prop it.
note: a few years back I would have made the argument that it would be a bad idea and you should get the more practical laptop or netbook. however, times have changed.
I don't know, it hasn't even been released yet.
But it depends on what you 'have to' do with it.
If you need some oomph it ain't gonna cut it. But if not- go for it.
But be honest with yourself as far as your requirements (or you may regret it)
umm...besides the obvious: saving 600 dollars of opportunity
_maybe longer battery life as only one app runs at a time minus push notifications
_Utility, ultra portability?
_apps that can only be found in the app store?
_ease of use e.g. touch screen (for non-mulittouch MBP's)
what else?
Only if you want the sync features. I'm planning on using my ipad as a stand along. iWork on the thing, apps, and wifi. No music or video.
It'll never touch another computer.